it shouldn't be an excuse for the other side to try to talk down the economy. just try to score a few political points. it's a reminder that this country has come too far to turn back now. >> reporter: the struggling economy is considered the president's soft spot and number one issue for voters. it's a centerpiece of romney's campaign, they hit the president hard throughout on employment including in this week's debate. >> we have 43 three straight months above 8%. i'll help create 12 million new jobs in this country. >> reporter: the new jobs report with unemployment below 8% robbed romney of one of his most reliable campaign lines. he said friday the economy should be better and that the decline in the unemployment rate showed how much people are struggling. >> looks like unemployment is getting better. the truth is if the same share of people were participating in the workforce today as on the day that the president got elected our unemployment rate would be around 11%. that's the real reality of what's happening out there. >> reporter: now advisers tell me